The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-11-04
The Egis &Intelligencer
nel Air, Md, November 4, 1887.
DEER CREEK FARMERS CLUB.
Discussing an Improved system Of Re-
pairing OF Public Roads.

Discussing an Improved system OF He
pairing OF public Roads.
The Deer Creek Farmers Club met last satur
day. ut the residence Of Mr.. James w. Hanna
u sides the members, there were present Messrs
Henry w. and Elijah Whistler. Robert +. ant
stephen b. Hanna, VIM. Dean, Edward ID. Swartz
q. Il. Stephenson and Mr.. Brewers, of Oceai
Grove, NJ.
Mr. r. Harris Archer was called to the chat
Messrs. Edward ?. Moores, WIN. b. Lee ant
Thomas Lochary, committee appointed TO ex
amino Mr.. Hanna's stock, &C.. reoorted that hi
cattle and sheep look well. and that he has three
cows which produce IS lbs. Of butter per week
He has a fine field of corn. which yielded 10 bar
rals to the acre also fine hogs AMI lot OF nice
turnips. -
The Committee on County Roads. consisting o
Messrs. Johns II. Jannney, VIM. Webster. JONI
Moores, Jas. Lee and Geo. E. Silver, made thu
following report:
The Committee on Public Roads respectfully
That they have carefully considered the matter
intrustei to them and do not think it advisable q
make any changes In our road system that would
deprive competent farmers of the opportunity Of
repairing sections of roads, adjacent to thei
FARMS or that would lead TO the importation Of
labor from other counties to work upon oul
roads.
Your Committee, considering the great import
ance of good roads to the prosperity OF our coun
ty. are of the opinion that the supervision OF Tho
construction and repair OF roads ana bridges
should be intrusted TO a commission OF three
competent aud judicious citizens, who will serve
warrents, appoint read engineer TO lay out new
roads and direct the repairs of existing roads By
those tn whom warrants have been given. aud ir
general to have the disbursement of all the road
and bridge money appropriated by the County
Commissioners. The said road engineer to de-
vote his entire time to the duties of his Office
under the direction of said road commission, and
that the latter shall have power to continue hin
during good behavior. or to discharge him al
any time for sufficient cause Also, that the said
road engineer shall act as secretary to the Road
Commission without extra charge. And that the
said Road Commission be first elected at the Con
gressona election, in 1888 and 10 serve for one
year. AT the general election in 1889 another
eli elton to be held for Road Commissioners. who
shalt after their election, hold office, respective
~, for two. four and six years, so that one
member of the said beard shall, after the said
general election, be elected at each succeeding
general election. for term Of six years.
Mr.. Janney, chairman of the committee. in pre-
senting the report said he fully Endorsed ii and
urged this club to adopt 1t and to act in concert
with other clubs. He saw no way OF improving
the roads unless they were placed in the hands
and under the control of one head, who should
have full charge of them and of the expenditure
of the moneys appropriated for them. He saw
the great need of good roads for the general i'm
pr1veHcnt of the county.
WIN. b. Hopkins also endorsed the report of
the committee. He was in favor of the farmers
mUnding the roads and thought IL the commission
were not expensive it would be good thing.
Elijah Whistler thought it would be difficult to
keep the system out of politics and then one
engineer would not be able to attend to all the
rpl H. He recognized the need of changes as at
present the roads are neglected in many places
and badly mended in others.
WIN. ID. Lee was in favor of trying the plan
suggested IL the expense of working it be not
too great. He thought the engineer would have
difi guilty in attending to all the roads.
II. John Rogers thought the plan suggested
would be decided improvement over the pres
cnt plan and did not suppose the cost would be
any greater than at present. The probability of
getting more out OF the road money than we now
yet would be an inducement to make the change.
Some improvement Is needed. as the present
pan has not given general satisfaction.
stephen Il. Hanna said he was in favor of n
change, as he wants good roads, and he liked tho
ST. kRestions OF the committee.
Il bert +. Hanna was also in favor of a change,
but thought the commission should be five in
stead of three. 1t was his opinion that the road
tax should be separate from all other taxes. and
every man be allowed TO work out his tax or pay
the money. He thought a new road law would
be an Improvement.
Mr. Rogers said money enough is spent on the
roads to make and keep them in good order.
Mr. Brewer, of N. j., said he was very much
pleased with our county and thought our roads
rqualied the roads elsewhere, especially those in
the State of New York.
Vim Dean and Bennett II. Barnes thought
change in the road system very desirable aud
approved the suggestion of the committee.
II Iward p. Moores thought the report good
one and one that could be adopted. He saw no
reason whyan engineer could not attend to all
the roads, as his presence would not be wanted
except at certain times. The general road super
vsors are of little use and could be dispensed
with with but little loss to the county.
Edward B. Swartz thought the report made
good suggestions, as we certainly need change.
Thomas Lochary thought the question very
hard one. He did not feel able to give any i'd
Vie, but wanted to see good roads.
Richard Stephenson said our roads are in a bad
condition as at present mended and therefore
we need change. The report of the committee
is II good one aud IL adopted would work salts
iacorily. The road engineer would have to divide
his time through the county but still he could
formulate plans and see that they were properly
carried out. We need change and that propos-
I'd by the committee is good one. but IL adopt
Cd IL would depend more or less upon the people
for success. He though each district should ex
pend its own money.
Jas. Lee. as a member OF the committee, fully
endorsed the entire report.
Johns II. Janney thought that IL the report Is
adopted every man interested in good roads
should give 1t all the help he can to make it sue
cess. In making any change difficulties will be
encountered, but in q year or two an engineer
would 30 acquaint himself with the roads and the
In extraordinary cases. There is more money
wasted now than would keep our roads in good
repair.
James w. Hanna likewise endorsed the report
George Il. Silver was In favor of farmers mend
ing tho roads themselves, under skillful direc-
lion and this the report provides for. He approx
I'll the report and would support it.
IL. Harris Archer expressed his regret that our
runds are in such bad condition. He thought the
commission should know in advance how much
money they would have to spend on the roads
and pay cash for their work.
On motion of Edward p. Moores the report was
adopted.
On motion of James Lee it was ordered that
a copy of the report be sent to the Faston and
wilma Farmers Clubs, and also that the above
named clubs be request ed to appoint committees,
after considering the report, TO meet Il commit
tee of the Deer Creek Club, in Bel Air, on the
9th OF next December. at o'clock. P. NJ.
MIR ID. q. Wharton Smith was elected an active
member and MIR. VIM. b. Hopkins was elected
President, in place of Mr.. VIM. +. Hays, resigned
The next meeting will he held at the residence
OF Mr.. VIM. Is. Hopkins, Nov. 25th. Subject for
disco l)n ;'.saving and Feeding Corn Fodder"